Please note this meeting will be inside the church (not in the hall)
Jane Brown, Jim Crosthwaite, Ian Sinkins, Cllr David McBride , Cllr Gurpreet Johal, Elspeth Crockett, PC House, Police Scotland
Dorothy Heron, Anne Currie, Cllr Chris Pollock
Previous minute read and approved.
PC House gave a report on incidents/crimes in this area.
The recent vandalism to cars and property in Wallace Street, which involved beans, eggs and milk thrown on cars and at residents’ windows was discussed. PC House reported that the matter was being investigated and that items used in the incident had been stolen from Morrisons Daily on Glasgow Road.
PC House was also asked about the recent use of dirt bikes at Havoc, causing a nuisance to the public, ripping up the paths, and making the whole field a quagmire. He stated that Police Scotland have a 'zero-contact' policy - he said the Police would not even approach these individuals because of issues of safety regarding the individuals concerned.
Cllr Johal asked PC House about a recent haul of £12,000 worth of heroin seized from a car locally, asking if this was a one-off or part of a trend. PC House said as it was a 'live' ongoing investigation and he couldn’t comment further at present.
Elspeth wished to commend the Councillors on the artwork in the underpass by the Municipal Buildings and the granite balls.
Cllr McBride gave an update on the demolition work in the Artizan Centre and said the contractors would be starting next Monday.
Jim asked for an update on the boats being removed from the River Leven and Cllr McBride said the work to remove the ten boats previously agreed on would be starting in April.
Jane mentioned the lifebelts along the riverbank on the Leven and asked if there was a system in place whereby these were checked regularly as many of them are within a ‘box’ which needs to be opened to check the lifebelt is there. Several of the lifebelts are actually in the water.
Jim asked if the double yellow lines opposite Knoxland School in Leven Street could be repainted and could the blocked drain at the same area be attended to. Cllr Johal will enquire about this.
Jim said a report has still to be received from Luddon re drainage investigations.
Bank £1829.51p; Petty Cash £135.35p.
A discussion followed re spending some money. Jim suggested something towards planting at Knoxland Sq. He said that when they'd done work there a few months ago, Greenspace had offered to take us to their nursery to get some plants.
Jim stated that Ian Hastings from WDC would be organising flood supplies which would be distributed to residents in the event of a flood.
Jim also reported that the resilience store has yet to be moved to Morrison's car park and this will be done when new stock arrives.
Members were reminded of the meeting to be held at Dumbarton Football ground re the Gruggies Burn Alleviation scheme.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 March 2024 at 7pm in St Augustine’s Church.
Please note the next two meetings, March and April will be inside the church (not in the hall, due to overbooking)
Jane Brown, Jim Crosthwaite, Jim Cormack, Iain Ellis, Cllr David McBride , Cllr Chris Pollock, Cllr Gurpreet Johal, Elspeth Crockett, Matthew Spurway, Development Planning & Place Officer
In attendance: Anthony Casey, resident
Dorothy Heron, Anne Currie, Cllr Karen Conaghan
Previous minute read and approved.
Matthew Spurway gave a presentation re the Conservation Area in the Town Centre. Jim Crosthwaite has circulated notes on this separately.
There were questions following Matthew’s presentation, being were the Council and the lottery contributing to private landlords’ repairs/renovations/improvements and what mechanisms are in place to make them continue to keep their properties in a reasonable state of repair? The same question arose re Dumbarton Central - the feeling was that Network Rail are actually responsible for upkeep/repairs.
Anthony Casey asked about the ‘upgrading of the shop fronts’, specifically how this would alter already established shopping habits (i.e. going to St James’ Retail Park or shopping online) and he wondered how you could calculate if this would improve business/turnover. Elspeth felt the project would encourage tourists, particularly those with an interest in history, to travel into the town from the Castle and was in favour.
Iain asked when the stumps of the old lamp posts might be removed and Cllr McBride said this was down to Scottish Power.
Iain also asked about the flooding recently at Dumbuck Quarry and why the water isn’t drained into the ditch by the cycle path anymore as they used to years ago.
An update was requested on the progress of the wrecks in the River Leven being removed. The contract has been awarded locally but the timescale is not known at present.
Jim Crosthwaite gave an update re the move of the resilience store to Morrison’s car park.
Jane reported there is £1979.51 in the bank and £135.35 in petty cash.
Tuesday 13 February 2024 at 7pm